Tenants Filing Lawsuits For Fatal Silver Spring Apartment Explosion

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- An apartment fire and explosion killed seven people, and now their families and survivors are part of two lawsuits filed on Wednesday.

Back in August, a fire and explosion took the lives of seven and affected the lives of so many others at a Silver Spring apartment complex. Since then, the lawyers for the residents say they have not gotten answers to their many questions, so now they are filing two lawsuits.

It's been nearly three months since the August 10 apartment fire and explosion, taking the lives of seven, injuring 25 others, and leaving more than 150 people displaced.

Wednesday morning, attorneys representing the Silver Spring apartment complex residents filed two lawsuits against both Washington Gas and Kay management, the operators of Flower Branch Apartments.

"We bring this lawsuit to force the responsible parties to finally give us a straight answer of this tragedy," said Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA de Maryland.

Attorneys say the first lawsuit is asking for damages for personal injury and wrongful death for the families of those killed and those who abstained injuries during the fire and explosion. The second suit is seeking damages for all other the residents of Flower Branch affected by the explosion.

"Individuals and families who escaped with their lives, still lost their homes, their life savings, identification documents, furniture, peace of mind and many sleepless nights," said John Barrett, attorney, Bailey and Glasser.

Attorneys and CASA say they have been working with residents since August, asking for answers from the gas and management companies, only getting delayed responses with little information.

"It's not just about money. This action is about justice. We truly believe it is very important that we bring justice to these families," Torres.

In response to the allegations, Kay Management says there was a meeting with affected residents on August 16.

They go on to say quote, "We are continuing to work with casa's attorneys to coordinate a second meeting under mutually agreed-upon terms with any resident."

"We want safety reforms at Washington Gas and Kay Management, to help ensure that the nightmare at Flower Branch does not happen at other homes in Maryland or the District of Columbia," said Barrett.

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